MATTHEW D. CLENDENIN

TRIAL ATTORNEY - MANAGING PARTNER

Hi. My name is Matt Clendenin, and here at the Clendenin Law Firm we believe in giving everybody access to the Justice system to make our community a better, safer place to live.

My legal career began in 2007 as a paralegal. After working at several large law firms, I went to law school at Santa Clara University in the Bay Area. In law school, I won Santa Clara’s internal moot court competition and was awarded “Best Oral Advocate” of the entire competition. During law school, I also studied oral argument with barristers at the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn of Court in London, England as well as a pupilage at Magdalen College, Oxford.

Since becoming a lawyer, I have only ever done one area of law - representing personal injury victims. I purposefully keep a low case load - typically of less than 12 active litigation clients. This way I can work 100% on every case, spend time with my clients, and always be available to pick up the phone.

I am a “Masters” level graduate from Don Keenan’s Trial Institute. Formerly, I was an instructor for the Keenan Trial Institute. The Keenan Trial Institute teaches lawyers how to best prepare for trial, maximize a victim’s recovery, and defeat the insurance industry.

I currently serve as as the President for the Irish American Bar Association’s board of directors. I also currently serve as a board member with the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (CASD), San Diego’s trial lawyer organization that represents individual victims (as opposed to trial lawyers that represent corporations or insurance companies).

In 2015, I was selected “Best of the Bar” by the San Diego Business Journal. From 2018-present, I was selected as a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers. From 2018-present I was selected as a “Rising Star” lawyer under 40 with SuperLawyers, an award given to just 2.5% of attorneys.

In 2022, I was recognized as an award-winning trial lawyer by the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (CASD.org) with the “Street Fighter” trial lawyer award. To be eligible for the Street Fighter award, a lawyer must practice in a small firm (less than 5 attorneys), where a lawyer faces “unusual obstacles, great risk, or difficult odds that he or she had to overcome”.

I recently celebrated my 15th year anniversary with my wonderful wife Marta Clendenin. I love our 6-year-old daughter Noemi, our 3-year-old daughter Lucie, and our new boxer puppy “Bruce”. Outside of the office, my passions include darts, cycling, board games, and good company.

KATIE S. LLAMAS

TRIAL ATTORNEY - ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

I am a mom, military spouse, and attorney. In 2006, I earned my master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. During that time, I worked as the Coordinator of Victim Services for the San Diego Family Justice Center.

In 2014, I graduated from California Western School of Law. After graduating I became a prosecutor for the City of San Diego. As a prosecutor I gained invaluable trial experience. My most recent assignment was with the Neighborhood Justice Unit, where I worked with community members and law enforcement to address community issues throughout San Diego.

My husband is an active duty Chief in the United States Coast Guard. He has served 20 years and loves what he does. We have two young boys who keep us more than busy. I love my family and the opportunities the legal system has given me to serve my community and those who live in it.